“Likely to mark a significant turning point in both the United States as well as internationally, given the current global financial crisis and the huge wave of international interest in these presidential elections, it is anticipated that the future will be both exciting and challenging for the president-elect of the United States,” a statement from the Cook Island foreign affairs ministry said.
“As an individual who has lived a good deal of his younger life in Hawaii, the Cook Islands is hopeful that Barack Obama’s deeper understanding and appreciation of the various challenges and developmental aspirations faced by smaller island developing states such as the Cook Islands, will translate into greater recognition of the unique and special characteristics of smaller island states,” the ministry stated.
“Although formal diplomatic ties between both the Cook Islands and United States have yet to be established, the cordial links between both countries have in fact strengthened over the years and currently extends to a formal agreement whereby maritime surveillance activities between the two countries is on-going,” the ministry stated.
It added, “Like other Pacific Islands Forum member countries, the Cook Islands joins the global community in congratulating President-elect Obama for his emphatic win and wishing him well, come inauguration day on Jan. 20, 2009, in his endeavors to deliver on his pledges, during his four-year term as president of the United States.”
“The Cook Islands welcomes the U.S. presidential election outcomes and looks forward to working closely with the Obama administration in further developing bilateral as well as multilateral initiatives within the region.”
